Turf-Saver

ABSTRACT

The inventor has not observed in pro shops, golf stores, or on golf courses/driving ranges a durable, small, rubber-like or pliable, soft plastic product that does what The Turf-Saver does. Alignment devices are typically larger and more cumbersome. The current method of preserving driving range turf is by use of mats on concrete platforms that are roundly disliked by most golfers, especially older golfers whose wrists and forearms are adversely affected. None of the existing devices are practicable for use on the course. The invention is a device designed to provide a surface that will preserve turf, while assisting in alignment of golf clubs with the golf ball, driver through wedge, both on practice ranges and on the golf course. The device, which may be manufactured either of a soft, resilient rubber, or a type of pliable plastic that simulates rubber, is structured so as to receive the club well, simulating actual turf, while preserving the bottom of the club from undue abrasion. There is a one-eighth inch wide stripe located along the center of the device, from front to back, to ensure a proper takeaway at the inception of the swing, and to guide correct release of the club at the instant of impact.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The Turf-Saver is designed for use on golf driving ranges and during practice rounds on golf courses. It addresses the problems of swing alignment and turf destruction by divots.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is unique in that its primary purpose is to preserve the turf. A significant secondary purpose is to serve as a practice aid, specifically with regard to an effective takeaway of the golf club, proper position at impact, and proper set up with regard to the target line by placing the toes of the feet along a line parallel to said line.

2. Description of the Prior Art

U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,875, issued to Donald A. Wilson, is a system designed to help the golfer properly align the golf club. It is described as having a multi-striped, resilient top surface, and is comprised of a variety of closely packed “fibers”. It is a “mat” or “pad” with a “generally rectangular shape.” The primary purpose of the “system” is for practice purposes.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,910,053, issued to Patrick A. Scalise, is for a golf-swing practice device comprised of a flexible vinyl plastic sheet imprinted with guide marks. These include an arrow to be aligned with a target, a bar perpendicular to the arrow and behind an aperture for a ball tee, and two lines crossing on the arrow in front of the aperture and equally spaced from the center of the aperture.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,131,910, issued to Marshall O. Townsend II, is a template that constitutes a golf swing training device addressing several golf swing variables, including a club path indicator and a club face angle guide. The template is designed so that golfers may practice swinging a golf club over the top of the template to determine whether their swing follows a desired path. A swing reference guide is included and correlates shot selection, ball path, club path, and club face angle. The device is characterized by “a plurality of club path indicators.” It is made of plastic and has a carrying handle.

The Turf Saver differs from all of the above in that it is primarily designed to conserve turf. It also serves to assist in alignment, but in a simplified way. It is not complicated by a multiplicity of arrows, so that the player can focus on a single target line. Its limited length (twelve inches) is essential to the purpose of helping the golfer concentrate on making the proper takeaway of the golf club. The nature of the material used to construct the device also distinguishes it from the other inventions in that it will “receive” strikes by irons in a matter to better simulate contact with actual turf.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The purpose of The Turf-Saver is to help golfers begin their backswings on line, swing down through the ball on iron shots without suffering ground or mat shock or damaging the turf; and properly swing through all shots, wedges through the driver. It solves problems such as gouging of turf on driving ranges and difficulty in aligning shots, especially on the course during practice rounds.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide an easily transportable, durable device that will preserve golf range/course turf while assisting golfers to improve their movement through the impact zone, while taking the club away from the ball along the optimal path and extending through impact on the precise target line. By setting his or her feet parallel to the device, the golfer can set up for a straight shot. By drawing the back foot an inch or two away from parallel while turning the shoulders in a similar manner, the golfer sets up for a draw. By drawing the front foot an inch or to away from parallel and opening the shoulders slightly the golfer can practice fading the shot.

The type of material to be used is easily manufactured (similar material is found in Wire Mold products used to cover wires crossing walking paths on office or home floors). The device will be inexpensive and therefore attractive for purchases by driving ranges as an alternative to typical mats. It can readily be carried in golf bags and is easily “anchored” to the turf by tees. The depression in the material allows the golf ball to be placed on the device without rolling off and without the necessity of using a tee.

Because of the straightforward configuration of the device, it can be used by left or right handed golfers. Once the golf ball has been placed on the device, by standing directly behind it, the golfer can use the center stripe to check alignment. By placing the head of the club such that its center is perpendicular to the line of flight and taking it back along the center line extending to the rear portion of the device, the golfer can assure a proper takeaway that will tend to keep the swing “on plane.”

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 displays a single perspective of the turf saving device. It is twelve inches in length and two and three-fourth inches wide. Its thickness is three-eights of an inch. A center stripe extends the full length of the device. A slight circular depression is placed with its center three inches from the front edge. The depression is one-half inch in diameter. Its depth (exact measurement not shown) is very slight—just enough that a golf ball can be placed on it without rolling off. There is an aperture in the center of the depression for insertion of a tee, if use of a tee is desired. Additional apertures are placed three-eighths of an inch from each end of the device, for insertion of tees or other “anchors” to hold it in place so that it will not move forward when struck. 

I claim:
 1. The Turf-Saver is a unique, easily carried and applied device, to help golfers with their swings and golf courses or driving ranges with turf maintenance and, to the knowledge of the inventor, is unlike any other golf aid on the market.
 2. A turf preserving device consisting of a small piece of resilient material, rectangular in shape, with a predetermined length, width and thickness, as presented in the Drawing of the device. The material will be soft rubber or plastic, such as 94VO Polyvinyl Chloride, which is supple, durable and will not warp or crumple when being impacted by a golf club.
 3. The device is to be placed on driving range ground, driving range mats, the teeing ground on the golf course, or on fairway ground on the golf course, for use during practice.
 4. The surface has a circular depression one-half inch in diameter with its center located three inches from the front whose purpose is to hold the golf ball when it is not placed on the tee. There is an aperture through the center of the depression for reception of a tee when the player desires to hit off a tee.
 5. The device is twelve inches long and has a stripe one/eighth of an inch wide extending from front to back, which assists the player to make a proper takeaway and hit through the ball along the correct swing path.
 6. The device is two and three-fourth inches wide, a width which ensures the player will place the club perpendicular to the line of flight when squared with the center line.
 7. The device is three-eights of an inch thick, a thickness which assures durability while not so thick as to affect “feel” when striking the surface with the club. The thickness and material structure also effectively simulate the natural feeling of hitting the turf after contact with the ball.
 8. Apertures are also located three-eights of an inch from each end of the device to receive tees or other forms of anchors to hold it in place while the golf ball is being hit.
 9. The color of the device is homogenous throughout, but can be varied so as to contrast with the color of the surface upon which it will be used, for example a light brown if used on green turf, but orange if used in the winter on brown surfaces.
 10. There are no stripes on the device, other than the center line.
 11. The cost of producing the device will be quite modest. For example, three-feet long strips of 94VO PVC of similar width and thickness retail for approximately $11. 